Volunteers are needed to conduct surveys of Johnson Creek to count salmon spawning. Volunteers sign up for dates using a doodle poll and are provided with necessary safety equipment such as waders, vests, and maps. Volunteers must coordinate with their survey partner and complete the stretch within 3 hours. Safety protocols must be followed, such as not entering deep or fast-moving water. Any injuries or issues should be reported to the contact at Johnson Creek Watershed Council. Found carcasses should be photographed, bagged, and left in the provided cooler.

1. Johnson Creek Salmon Spawning
Surveys

2. Volunteering: The Logistics
 Sign up for survey dates via doodle poll
- Write down the dates you signed up for in your
planner, or online calendar- we are counting on you
to make it!
- Everyone will be able to survey at least once.
 Danielle will email you info about your stretch 2
weeks in advance.

3. Step 1: Danielle will send you
invitation to Doodle Poll

4. Step 2: Fill it out & Save it
Your full name here

5. Before your survey…
 Save your survey date(s)!
 Save Danielle’s cell # into your phone.
 Make sure you are in good physical health! Do not
enter the water with an injury or open wound.
 Communicate with your survey partner:
 Exchange cell phone numbers.
 Decide on a time for your survey with your partner.
Allow at least 3 hours to complete the stretch.
 Decide if you want to carpool or meet at the survey site.
 Confirm which person will be responsible for equipment
check-in & out.

6. Equipment
 We have limited supplies. Please return your equipment by
the Wednesday following your survey.
 Write number of each item on check out sheet:

7. Necessary equipment
Bring your own Provided by JCWC
 Water bottle & snack
 Weather- appropriate
clothing
 Warm hat
 Change of clothes for after
survey
 Back pack
 Cell phone, in case of an
emergency.
 Chest waders
 Orange vest
 Polarized sunglasses
 Wading poles
 Gloves
 Garbage bag: for fish carcass
 Ziplock bag for electronics
 Waterproof disposable
camera
 Hand Sanitizer
 Map & directions to survey
location
 Copy of the survey flyer

8. Safety…. Water depth
 Err to caution- if it doesn’t look safe- don’t do it!
 Step carefully- if you can’t see the stream bed, feel with
your feet and wading pole before taking a step.
 Use two wading poles
 Whenever possible, survey from the banks- this also
reduces our impact on the streambed.

9. When to call it off
 If the water is deeper than your waist and you can’t
walk on the banks past deeper pools
 If the water is moving with enough velocity to make it
hard to keep your footing
 If it begins raining very hard, very suddenly- the water
level can rise rapidly
 If air temperatures are below 50 degrees (F)

10. Safety… other considerations
 Traverse blackberries and log jams carefully. They can
damage waders as well as body parts.
 Avoid putting your weight on a log – go around it.
 Be careful not to damage beaver dams and other in-
stream habitat
 Keep your eyes out for
Beaver chewed stumps-
they are sharp and a
tripping hazard!
 Be alert for loose dogs &
wildlife

11. Disgruntled landowners
 Johnson Creek is not considered a “navigable” stream,
therefore it belongs to the adjacent property owners.
 All creekside landowners have been notified that
surveyors are coming through. Most stretches we are
surveying this year are publicly owned.
 If you encounter someone who accuses you of
trespassing, simply apologize, tell them to contact
JCWC, and leave.

12. Salmon Diaries
 Check before you go out! Great tips from previous
surveyors
 How to post….

13. Drop down menu:
Salmon Diaries

14. To post: Scroll down to bottom of page

15. Bottom of page….

17. What if we find a carcass?
 Take a photo!
 Carefully put it into plastic bag. Carcasses are very
heavy. You may need one partner to move a vehicle
closer, if possible. Then carry it back to your vehicle.
Add another bag to prevent leaks.
 Purchase a bag of ice and keep the receipt for
reimbursement.
 Take the carcass to JCWC. There is a cooler located
outside our main door. Leave the carcass in the cooler.
Open the bag of ice and pour it in.

18. My partner has not shown up and I
cannot get a hold of them.
 Do not survey in the water by yourself!
 You may look in from the banks and bridges, if
applicable.
 Contact Danielle to reschedule and she’ll make sure
you have another chance to survey.

19. My partner or I need to cancel
 Each week, we will designate 2 “stand-by” surveyors,
who will be notified 2 weeks in advance.
 Notify Danielle as soon as you know of a conflict. She
will contact a designated “stand by” surveyor.

20. My waders leak.
 You do not have to complete your stretch if you
become too cold or uncomfortable.
 Please notify us when you return the equipment so
they can be repaired before lending them out again.

21. There is an injury during our survey.
 If the person is responsive and able to communicate,
they decide their own course of treatment.
 If a person is unconscious, call 911.
 When you are able, notify Danielle

22. You are approached and asked
what you are doing.
 Stop and take a minute to explain that you’re a
volunteer with JCWC & ODFW, looking for spawning
salmon.
 Ask them if they have seen salmon here recently.
Direct them to JCWC, we are happy to hear reports on
conditions and fish sightings from residents.

23. Questions?